Adventure Rider Radio motorcycle podcast - The voice of moto travel, is motorcycle adventure travel around the world. Experienced moto travellers and industry motorbike pros with tech tips, instruction and stories of adventure motorcycling with host, Jim Martin on the most popular adv rider podcast in the world.
Every Thursday a new episode brings motorbike travel stories and information for all motorbike enthusiasts. Inspirational, motivating and educational.

Shorai Lithium Batteries

Phuc Lam from Shorai Inc, and also an avid motorcyclist, explains lithium batteries in this episode.

Since 2010, Shorai has been the maker of lithium iron phosphate batteries. Shorai LFX batteries are up to 80 percent lighter than equal performance lead acid batteries, which can mean saving anywhere from 2 to 20 pounds, depending what kind of bike you ride. They operate at a higher voltage range and maintain a higher voltage level during cranking, which means your motorcycle starts more quickly. The lithium batteries can be charged using a lead acid charger or by using the charger specifically designed for Shorai’s LFX lithium batteries. And the Shorai lithium batteries are compatible with modern motorcycle charging systems. Easy to install, Shorai batteries come with a three year pro-rated warranty and can be purchased at Shorai dealers or online on their website.

OLATHE, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced the new zūmo 395LM and zūmo 595LM motorcycle navigators. The rugged, weatherproof (*1) models offer Garmin Adventurous Routing™ so riders can select the level of twists and hills on every journey. The zūmo 395/595LM presents innovative features specifically designed for motorcyclists with the introduction of rider alerts, helpful smart features, new streaming music options and much more. “What’s exciting about the new zūmo models is that they are designed to find those adventurous winding roads that riders typically crave,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “The ability to stream Spotify music will also enhance the thrill of every ride.” Garmin Adventurous Routing™ options elevate the ride by finding routes with curves and hills, while limiting major highways that offer unchanging and often wearisome roads. In order to enhance the adventure, both zūmo models allow riders to control music and media from a compatible smartphone or MP3 player. (*2) The 595 model lets riders stream popular music services2 such as Spotify® and Pandora® right into their headset or helmet (sold separately), offering easy control options using the glove-friendly zūmo screen display. Garmin recognizes safety as a top priority for motorcyclists – that’s why both zūmo models include new rider alerts to help increase situational awareness. Riders can be notified of upcoming sharp curves, nearby red light and speed cameras (*3), animal crossings and many other useful alerts. In addition, riders will be prompted with relevant state helmet law notifications (US/CAN) when crossing state borders. The new zūmo devices allow riders to make and receive calls (*4) while their hands remain firmly on the handlebars. Spoken directions can also be heard when paired with a compatible headset or helmet (sold separately) in order to stay conveniently connected during a ride. The zūmo 595LM model can pair seamlessly with the Smartphone link app (*5) from Garmin to give riders access to new exciting features for motorcyclists. The use of the app allows the zūmo 595LM to conveniently display smartphone information alongside the navigation screen. Riders can view texts, app notifications and other helpful data such as live weather radar and traffic (subscription may be required). Additionally, the new LiveTrack feature lets riders share their ride so friends can track their location. The new motorcycle navigators offer a rugged, glove-friendly design that can endure fuel vapors, UV rays and harsh weather.1 The bright sunlight-readable display of the zūmo 395LM has a 4.3-inch touchscreen while the zūmo 595LM boasts a high-resolution 5-inch transflective touchscreen display to further enhance visibility. Both devices include lifetime map (*6) updates for North America along with motorcycle-specific points of interest (POIs) such as repair services, dealers and more. The new devices maintain the legacy zūmo features that riders have come to expect. Some of these features include: Dynamic Fuel Stops, which suggests fuel stops based on the distance the rider’s fuel is expected to last; the Service History Log to help simplify bike maintenance records; Roundtrip Routing allows riders to plan their route based on time, distance or location; preloaded Foursquare® data offers millions of new and popular places; and Garmin Real Directions™ guides riders using recognizable landmarks and traffic lights. The new zūmo series is compatible with Garmin VIRB® action cameras (sold separately) to start and stop recording footage directly from the zūmo display screen. Riders can also monitor motorcycle tire pressure on the zūmo display with the Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor system from Garmin (sold separately). The zūmo 395LM has a suggested retail price of $599.99 and the zūmo 595LM is $899.99. Both devices are expected to be available in April of this year. For more information, visit garmin.com/zumo. The zūmo 395LM and zūmo 595LM are the latest from Garmin’s consumer automotive segment, the leading worldwide provider of portable navigation devices for automobiles, motorcycles and trucks. Garmin’s user-friendly navigation solutions have innovative features that provide time- and fuel-saving benefits to meet the demands of everyday driving. For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.

*1. IPX7 water rating withstands incidental exposure to water of up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes.*2. Music and Media control work with iPhone® 4S or later and iPod touch® 2nd generation or later. Pandora works with iPhone 4S or later and some Android™ devices. Pandora is currently available in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Spotify® compatible mobile digital devices and premium subscription required, where available, see Garmin.com*3. Red light and speed camera warnings are not available in all regions.*4. Requires compatible helmet, headset or smartphone; sold separately.*5. Features available via download of the Smartphone Link app. User’s data plan charges, if any, will apply. Subscription may be required.*6. Lifetime maps entitle you to receive map updates when and as such updates are made available by Garmin during the useful life of 1 compatible Garmin product or as long as Garmin receives map data from a third party supplier, whichever is shorter. For the meaning of a product’s “useful life” and for other important terms and conditions, please see Garmin.com/LM for details.

Riding With Russian Bikers

If you're a regular listener, you probably know Shirley Hardy-Rix and Brian Rix, Aussies Overland, they're regular co-hosts on ARR RAW. We've also had them on the ARR show before, talking about their motorcycle travel adventures and their books. We asked them to come on the show and share a story from their last adventure, which they documented in their book called The Long Way to Vladivostok. Shirley and Brian have written two other books about their trips and you can purchase these books online on their website at www.aussiesoverland.com.au.

Show Sponsors:

Support the show sponsors that help bring ADVENTURE RIDER RADIO to you. More information about contacting our sponsors can be found here.